The ant problem this year is probably the worst

Hacked away a few lower hanging branches on the coconut tree yesterday.

Within seconds I had thousands of ants all over me.
Quite lucky they weren't biters. must be vegetarians.
Also saw mice making their escape over branches to a nearby tree.

Time to call for help.  I'm no longer that nimble to climb trees.

The ant problem this year is probably the worst I've experienced in the years I've been here.

It was time to fight them on the perimeter before they came into the house.

Plenty of pruning and spraying with dish soap outside.

When it came to pruning one of two lemon trees I was pleasantly surprised.  WE HAVE LEMONS.  Had these plants for about four or five years without lemons.  The only reason I did not chop them down was because the leaves can be used in many Thai dishes.

Then of course the lemon grass needed trimming.
Always remember my first year in Thailand with a bit of an embarrassed blush.
Offered the clippings to my neighbor.  Learned it's the roots that are used in cooking, not the grass